Tank for sprinkler systems



Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

i nwwto E. C. MAXWELL. TANKYFOR SPRINKLERSYSTEMS. APPLICATION FILED run. 13; new.

F6 Q 6 O 0 O1 Oi EARL C. MAXWELL, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

TANK FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEMS.

Application filed March 13, 1917.

To aZZ to 710m it m @3/ concern Be it known that l, Flam. C. MAXWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at borough ot' Brooklyn, city and State of New York, county oi Kings, have invented new and useful Tmprovements in Tanks for Sprinkler systems. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the structure and arrangement of the tanks, etc, usually on the roof of a building and are especially adapted for use in connection with fire protective sprinkler systems.

In many locations the fire underwriters require two independent sources of supply and for this and other reasons it is now customary in systems of this character to employ two tanks on the root. One or" these tanks, known as the gravity tank, supplies water under pressure of gravity. The other-tank, known as the pressure tank, has a liquid with air confined above it. This air is compress d and exerts a corresponding pressure upon the liquid tending to expel it.

It has been customary to mount the gravity tank ten or fifteen feet above the root upon a structural steel frame-work, while the pressure tank has been ordinarily mounted close to the root in a housing or bulkhead.

The pipes leading from the gravity tank have bee protected from freezing by means 01 suitable insulation such as is provided by boxing them in. The housing or bulkhead inclosing the pressure tank, piping, valves etc, has been suitably heated to prevent freezing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a structure by which the usual supporting frame-work for the gravity tank may be dispensed with and a simpler. stronger and more shapely appearing structure provided.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a structure whereby the housing of the pressure tank may be dispensed with and at the same time the apparatus may be protected and freezing prevented.

()ther and ancillary objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention,

Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a structure, arrangement of tanks, etc'., embodying the mventron;

Specification Letters latent.

Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

Serial No. 154,472.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modification;

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a further modification; and

Fig. 4: is section on the line 14t of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings and first to *ig. 1, the pressure tank has its axis vertical with the sidewalls formed by the cylinder 1 and having the convex end heads 2 and 3. The gravity tank has the side-walls 1 and cover and is supported by the pressure tank, the upper end 2 of the pressure tank being exposed to the liquid of the gravity tank and forming a closure for that tank at its bottom. In this case however, the end or". the pressure tank does not form the entire bottom of the gravity tank, this bottom having the overhanging portion 6 outside the pressure tank and secured thereto. It will, oi course, be understood that suitable vents will be made in the root 5, or otherwise, so that air may have access to permit the fluid in the gravity tank to be discharged under the pressure of gravity.

The tanks may be made of various materials but preferably the pressure tank is constructed of boiler steel riveted together as shown, and the gravity tank of wood. The lower end of the pressure tank rests on brackets 7 which are supported on I beams S, resting upon the building frame or walls. The pressure tank is surrounded by a housing or bulkhead 9, the overhanging bottom (5 of the gravity tank formin the roof of the space inclosed by the housing. The intcrior ot the housin may be heated in any suitable manner. fi ithin the housing of the pressure tank a pipe 10 leads from the gravity tank to pipe union 11, from which connection is made, through the valve 12 and a check valve 12, with the pipe 13 leading to the sprinkler system inside the building. The check valve prevents backward flow into the gravity tank. A pipe 14.- having a valve 15 connects with union 11. and provides a drain for the gravity tank. Upon opening the valve 15, water may be drained from the g 'avity tank. hen the valve 12 is open, the gravity tank is placed in connection with the pipe 13 leading to the sprinkler system. The valve 17 controls connection of the pressure tank with pipe 13 and the valve 18 controls connection with the drain pipe 16.

The tanks may be supplied with suitable water gages, ladders and trap-doors for gaining access, and other appurtenances well. known in this art without requiring further explanation, including any well known and suitable means for pumping or otherwise supplying the tanks with water.

It will be observed that all the connections from the tanks to the supply pipe leading to the sprinkler system are within the heated inclosure so as to be protected from injury or stoppage by freezin lVithin the pressure tank is arranged a frame-work for strengthening the structure against wind pressure This framework comprises two rectangular frames, one, at the bottom, comprises channel bars 20, 21, 22 and 23 secured together at their ends by angle plates 24, 25, 26 and 2?. These angle 7 plates also serve to secure the channel bars to the walls of the tank, and the rivets by which the angle plates are secured to the tank may also serve to secure thereto T-bars 28, to which the angle bars constituting the supporting brackets 7 are secured. The upper rectangular frame is similarly formed of channel bars as 29 and 30 secured together and to the tank walls by angle plate as 31 and 32, the rivets securing the angle plates to the tank walls also serving to secure the T-bars as 32' and 33 to which the bracket plates as 34 may be secured, these bracket plates aiding in supporting the overhanging portion of the gravity tank. Between the upper and lower rectangular frames extend the upright angle bars 36, 37, 38 and 39. These uprights are secured together by horizontal bars, 40, 41, 42 and 43 which are secured to the uprights at about their middle points. Each of the uprights is secured to its adjacent uprights by crossbars or braces 44:, 45, 46 and 47.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the pressure tank therein shown comprises the upright cylinder &8 and convex end heads 49 and 50. The tank is supported by brackets 51 which rest upon the walls 52. These walls extend about the tank inclosing a chamber beneath it. An outlet pipe 58 connects the tank with a pipe 54 leading to the fire extinguisher system within the building or with a drain55. The outlet of the tank is controlled by a valve 56 and the communication with the drain is controlled by a valve 57. Also within the chamber beneath the tank is a heater for the water in the tank. This heater comprises a casing 58 containing a steam coil 59 communicating with any suitable source of sup ply by means of pipes 59 and 60. The heated water may be delivered into the tank by way of pipe 61 while the cooler water is drawn from the bottom of the tank through a pipe 62.

An arrangement for indicating the level of the water during the filling operation may comprise an alarm, in an electric circuit controlled by a float. In the apparatus shown,

a post 58 supports the insulated contact 59" connected with the alarm circuit by an insulated conductor 60. The post also supports a rod 61 upon which slides a float 62 carrying the contact 68 which engages with the contact59"- and closes the alarm circuit when the water has risen sufficiently. The contact 63 is not insulated and is therefore connected with the frame work or grounded, the alarm circuit being completed through ground in a well known manner.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the gravity tank (i l is supported by the pressure tank 65. EX- lending ve 'tically through the center of the pressure tank is a channel 66 which at its upper end communicates with the gravity tank, its lower end being closed. Surrounding the pressure tank is a tank 6? which may be used as a source for the water supply of the building and it also acts as a jacket for the pressure tank, preventing it from freezing under some comlitions, and under other conditions the heat transmitted from the pressure tank to the jacket tank prevents the impairment of the building water supply by freezing. The water leg 66 serves to make these anti-freezing conditions available for the gravity tank. The apparatus is supported by brackets 68 secured to the pressure tank and whichare supported upon a wall 69 inclosing a chamber beneath the pressure tank, which chamber contains ap paratus as will now appear. Communication from the pressure tank to the pipe l0 leading to the extinguisher system is established by means of a pipe 71 controlled by a valve 72. Communication from the gravity tank to the extinguisher system pipe is effected by a pipe Z3 controlled by a valve 74. A heater for the water of the pressure tank is located in the chamber beneath it and comprises a casing T5 containing a steam coil '76 through which steam circulation is" effected by means of pipes 77 and '28. The

cooler water enters the casing 7 5 through the connection 79, and the heated water is conveyed to the pressure tank through a pipe 80. Also in the chamber beneath the pres sure tank is a heater for the gravity tank comprising a casing 81 containing a steam coil 82 through which steam is circulated by means of the pipes 83 and 84. The cooler wa er from the bottom ofthe water leg 66 enters into the casing 81 through a pipe 85 while the heated water is discharged into the gravity tank through the pipe 86. By the structures as described the heat is conserved, the valves are prevented from freezing, the apparatus is compact and out of the way and a lire prevention system of? increased e'lliciency is produced.

7 V'Jhile the invention has been illustrated in what are considered its best applications. it may have other embodiments without de parting from its spirit and is not therefore limited to the structures shown in the drawings.

WV hat I claim is 1. In a tank structure for exposure to the weather, the combination with a gravity tank, of a pressure tank adjacent said gravity tank and having a passage and a liquid chamber closed against said passage and means for independently supplying said gravity and pressure tanks with fluid.

2. in a tank structure for exposure to the weather, the combination with a gravity tank, of a pressure tank adjacent said gravity tank, said pressure tank having a passage extending from one wall to another and surrounded by the liquid chamber, said passage and chamber being closed against each other and means for independently supplying said gravity and pressure tanks with fluid.

3. in a tank structure for exposure to the weather, the combination with a gravity tank, oi a pressure tank beneath the gravity tank and having a vertical passage surround ed by the liquid chamber, said passage and chamber being closed against each other and means for independently supplying said gravity and pressure tanks with fluid.

a. In a tank structure for exposure to the weather, the combination with a gravity tank, of a pressure tank beneath the gravity tank and having a passage closed against the liquid chamber of said pressure tank and extending therethrough from said gravity tank and means for independently supplying said gravity and pressure tanks with fluid.

5. in a tank structure for exposure to the weather, the combination with a pressure tank, or" a gravity tank supported thereby, the pressure tank having a cylindrical body with its axis vertical and convex end heads, the upper end head forming a closure for the bottom of the gravity tank, and said pressure tank having a passage extending between the end heads and surrounded by the liquid chamber and means for independently supplying said gravity and pressure tanks with fluid.

6. The combination with a pressure tank, of walls inclosing a chamber beneath said tank, the top of said chamber forming the bottom of said tank, a heater for said tank in said chamber and connections for circulating the ,luid of said tank through said heater.

The combination with a pressure tank, of walls inclosing a chamber beneath said tank, the top of said chamber forming the bottom of said tank. gravity tank supported by said pressure tank, a heater for said gravity tank in said chamber and connections for circulating the fluid of said gravity tank through said heater.

8, T he combination with a pressure tank, of walls inclosing a chamber beneath said tank, the top of said chamber forming the bottom or" said tank, a gravity tank supported by said pressure tank, heaters for sai tanks in said chamber and connections for circulating the fluids 01'? said tanks respectively through their respective heaters.

9. The combination with a pressure tank, of walls inclosing a chamber beneath said tank, a gravity tank supported by said pressure tank, the top of said chamber being formed by the bottom of said pressure tank, inlet and out-let pipes for each of said tanks, and valves respectively controlling communication with said tanks through said pipes, said pipes and valves being located in said chamber and means for heating said chamber.

10. The combination with a pressure tank, of a gravity tank supported thereby, the said pressure tank having a central, vertical passage surrounded by the liquid chamber of said pressure tank but not in connection therewith, the said passage opening into the said gravity tank and means for independently supply said gravity and pressure tanks with fluid.

11. The combination with a pressure tank, of a gravity tank supported thereby, a jacketing tank about said pressure tank and means for supplying liquid to said jacketing tank.

12. The combination with a pressure tank, of agravity tank supported thereby, walls inclosmg a chamber beneath said pressure tank, the bottom of said pressure tank forming the top of said chamber, and a j acketing tank about the said pressure tank, said pressure tank having a central vertical passage closed against communication with the liquid chamber of said pressure tank but opening into the gravity tank, pipes communicating with the said tanks, heaters for the said tanks and valves for controlling communication with said tanks, the said valves and heaters being located in said chamber.

13. The combination with a pressure tank mounted on the roof of a building, of a chamber on the roof beneath said tank, connections for draining said tank and a valve for controlling said connections, said valve .being located within said chamber, inlet and outlet pipes for said pressure tank and valves for respectively controlling said inlet and outlet pipes, the inlet and outlet controlling valves being located within said ghamber, and means for heating said cham- 14. The combination with a pressure tank mounted on the roof of a building, of a chamber on the roof beneath said tank, connections for draining said tank and a valve for controlling said connections, said valve being located within said chamber, inlet and outlet pipes for said pressure tank and valves for respectively controlling said inlet and outlet pipes, the inlet and outlet controlling valves being located within said chamber, a gravity tank supported by said pressure tank, inlet and outlet connections for said gravity tank and valves for controlling the gravity tank connections, said gravity tank valves being located in said chamber and means for heating said chamber.

15. The combination with a pressure tank mounted on the roof of a building, of a chamber on the roof beneath said tank, con nections for draining said tank and a valve for controlling said connections, said valve being located Within said-chamber, inlet and outlet pipes for said pressure tank and valves for respectively controlling said inlet and outlet pipes, the inlet and outlet controlling valves being located Within said chamber, a gravity tank supported by said pressure tank, inlet and outlet connections for said gravity tank and valves for controlling the gravity tank connections, said gravity tank valves being located in said chamber, said pressure tank having a vertical passage surrounded by the liquid chamber of said pressure tank, but not in connection therewith, a heater and connections from said gravity tank to the heater passingthrough said passage and chamber whereby circulating passages to the gravity tank are secured, which are not exposed to the Weather.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification this 9th day of March, 1917.

EARL o. MAXWELL. 

